I can't believe it's September and I can't believe our 3 months are up. I must admit I feel like I did not get the full prospective of the 3 months that I hoped I would. Thanks to my gallbladder surgery and the problems I had after, I really missed out on the the excercise and trainer time. I know that that is what has really made a difference in the success I have had this far! It was such a pleasure to work with all of you! It has been a blessing in my life to have this opportunity. I really feel like I have learned so much and have been implementing what I have learned in a positive way. What a great team of gals to learn with! I really enjoyed our class and gym time together as well as the blogs. Thanks for the encouragement and friendship! Good luck you us all and see you tomorro at the weigh out! THANKS AGAIN TO INTERMOUNTAIN FOR THIS GREAT HEALTH OPPORTUNITY!

Almost done!

It's been a little over a month since my surgery and I am finally starting to feel better. I have been trying to walk around home a bit, but I actually got back to the gym this week! I have started to log my food again. For a while I really didn't feel like eating much so I didn't really worry about that. It feels good to be getting back, but I feel like I am starting all over again! I have lost weight, but have missed the excercise! (I never thought I would say that) Anyway, I have learned so much and am really looking forward to more success!

Hi Guys,
Boy what a rough couple weeks I'v had! The day after our last class I went to the doctor with some stomach pain and ended up being admitted to the hospital. After bloodwork and testing they decided I had a gallbladder full of gallstones. Surgery that evening and another day and a half in the hospital and I was home, recovering well. Then 4 days post op, the pain started up again and I was back in the hospital for pain control and more testing; in for an ERCP , yet another day and a half in the hospital and home again. Seems that some of the multiple stones that were in my gallbaldder "escaped" the surgeons snare and hid out in my bile duct headed for my liver. Anyway I think I'm on the road to recovery and hoping to get at least back to class by next week and hopefully get the ok to start my excersise again. MISS YOU ALL! Keep up the good work!

Sick Week

Here it is July 13. I haven't blogged since the 2nd. Where does the time go? Well for me, last week was "survival mode". I got sick with some kind of sore throat, cough, sinus congestion bug that really thru me for a loop! I couldn't excercise all week; when I'd move around or talk, I started coughing. I missed a day at work, my trainer apt and our class. When I was home I was down. I didn't feel really like I ate badley, but I know that not excersising hurt me. I did gain 2 pounds back. I really missed excersising ! That surprised me. I did not think I would ever miss not excersising. Anyway, I still have some congestion and a slight cough, but am feeling much better. So today "I'm back in the sadle" and ready to get going again. I got the book "Intuitive Eating". While I was down, I did get 3 chapters read. I missed seeing everyone and checking the blogs, so I'm glad to be feeling better!

Challenge ahead

Well, it's Thursday night, July 2. No work tomorrow and then the 4th of July weekend. I am not having any one for a BBQ, so I think I will take the advise of my co-worker, Teresa R. She has always been such a good friend, great example and is always sharing great ideas. She really is an inspiration to me! We are only about a year apart, we both have a set of twins, been married about the same amount of time and share other interest as well. She is the one that first inspired me to get a gym pass and try a few things. Anyway, she told me today that we need to go to the 5 am aerobic class at the gym. She has asked me before to try some different classes with her, but I have been to scared; but this time I said, "OK, I'm going to prepare myself to go with you". Thanks Teresa! Then we were visiting about what we were doing on the 4th weekend and she shared that she is BBQ ing for her family. No-not hamburgers and hot dogs, but salmon and chicken. She shared her BBQ tricks for yummy, more healthy food. Now I am excited to try them out. It will just be my husband and I and 2 of our children, so we'll try it out and see what happens. Hope everyone has a great long weekend. Here's to a better life and "Independence" from poor health and choices!!!!

After hearing from some of you about the jump rope class, I really feel bad I could not make it. We are a one family car and with 4 people and 4 different places to go that day, I could not work out having the car. Anyway, way to go to all of you who made it and survived. I am looking forward to the bike ride on the 11 th of July. My daughter is letting me borrow her bike to "practice" on. It has been a while.
Saturday we attended the Lehi Parade. It was so fun and the kids really enjoyed it. Heck, I really enjoyed it. I packed bottled water, cheese sticks and baby carrots. The kids had fun chasing and eating flying taffy and other candy assortments. I stuck to the "better choices" and did just fine. When we got home I was proud of myself for staying away from the candy. Check out my cute daughter, Ashlie and my oldest daughter, Raie Genes kids. Alena 8, Mikayla 6 almost 7, Dallin, 5 and Ethan 3. Summer is a great time for family and fun.

"How many Carbs in a rubber spoon?"

This is a picture of my 5 month old grandson, Bowyn. He is just starting to eat rice cereal and he is loving it! I don't think he has any idea what is in store for him once he starts eating!!

My training with Kara and our class on Wednesday were great!! It really is a good boost to be able to see everyone on Wednesday and get some more excercise ideas from Kara. We adjusted my weight regiment and by Wed. afternood I was sore! It's ok Kara-I went home after work took some motrin and laid down on my heating pad and just took it easy. This morning I skipped the gym. Today at work it has been just fine, so I'm going to the gym tonight to do some cardio. The weather, I hear, (sinse I work inside all day, I don't get much chance to see it) has been so nice outside. I'm looking foreward to the weekend and some sunshine so I can play in the sun and enjoy the summer. Lookout weeds! Here I come.

4th week!

Wow I can't believe we are starting week 4. I am just plugging along and if what they say is true about habits-"It takes 14 days to form a habit" then I should be in the habit of eating better and exercising more! I have definitely been doing things a little different and I really find myself stopping and thinking about my food choices. The watermelon and strawberries this time of year are so good! Can't wait for the tomatoes. I am getting more comfortable at the gym. Every Monday morning I have been weighing on the scale at the gym. The scale was nice to me this morning and I was grateful, because I didn't feel like I had been so good with my food intake. It encourages me to see the scale come down and makes me want to work even harder this week.

I did it!! I went to the gym after work, then I even got up this morning and went again. I feel like I'm getting stronger, not so tired by the end of my workout! I got on the scale, however, and I had gained so the weekend will be a challenge for me with company coming for Fathers Day and all the kids and grand kids about. BE STRONG, BE STRONG!

SLACKER!!

Ok. I learned something today! I'm not as motivated as I thought! My boys are gone on a camp out and so this morning when my alarm went off, I turned it off and went back to sleep instead of getting up to go to the gym!! Then, my son's alarm went off in his room, and of course he was not there to turn it off or to get me up. So what did I do. I got up, went to his room and turned his alarm off. I'm soooo bad. What is stupid is that I couldn't even go back to sleep, all I did was lay there and feel guilty for not getting up. Ugggggh!! You'd think I'd learn! So now I'm at work feeling guilty and my plan now, at 11:00 am is to go right home and get myself to the gym, with or without someone pushing me. I'll let you all know how that goes. Thanks for the encouraging words Michelle and Brooke! I' think I'm catching on to the blog thing and just read your comments today. AND thanks to my cute Ashlie for the compliment on the snow cone. One small step at a time.....

Look out week 3

Rain, Rain go away! Nope, I've enjoyed the rain. It gives me more reason to go to the gym. I have been working on perfecting my exercise routine. It has been so helpful to have the trainers available to answer questions and help my individually. Thanks again to them!! My week started out yesterday with a fast trip to Idaho, for a family function in Hagerman Valley. The 4 hour drive was fun as I went with my daughter and it was just the 2 of us. We had a great Mom/Daughter day! I started by going to the gym and getting my workout in for the day. Then I came home and packed a small cooler of "save" foods to take along. Instead of the chips and candy bars that are often found in our car on road trips, I filled the cooler with V-8, string cheese, yogurt, carrots and fruit. Guess what, I survived without the junk food! It was a long day as wee went up and came back the same day, so I did break down and have a coke on the way home to help me stay awake. It is the first coke I've had since the challenge began. When we stopped for lunch, I had a grilled chicken wrap with a side salad and water at Wendy's. So I actually proved to myself that I can survive a road trip with out the junk food! Next time I'll work on skipping the Coke! Good Luck Girls-We are heading for Week 3!

Look out week3

This morning I got up at 5:30 and got ready to got to UV Wellness Center to meet with my trainer at 6:30. It is almost a 1/2 hour commute for me to come to the Wellness Center, but to meet with my trainer it is worth it! Kara is my trainer, but had to be out of town today (sorry to hear about your grandma) so Heidi helped me today. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me figure everything out. My biggest challenge has been figuring out the difference in machines from the Wellness Center to Golds where I go to exercise. Heidi clarified a lot today and showed me some great stretches to help me after my workouts, so I don't get too sore. Our class today was led by Peggy, filling in for Jessica while she is out of the country on a service project trip. Peggy did a great job of going through the Weigh to Health pamphlet and adding in a lot of general information that was really interesting. (I liked the story she told about her friend who went on a carrot diet and turned orange!) Janet was there with her camera in hand. We had a good group discussion about our Meal Plans and I left the meeting feeling really motivated again. Off to week 2 and doing great!!

Lunch time

Well, I'm sitting at my desk having lunch. Today my choice includes a nice hot sweet potato from the AF cafeteria, I also grabbed some cottage cheese and beets to add to the salad mix I brought from home. One things for sure I am getting lots of fruit and veggies. For breakfast I had a banana and then a granny smith apple for a mid morning snack. I went to the gym yesterday morning with the support of my son and daughter coming along. This morning I got up to go again, but couldn't find my gym pass. ( I go to Golds since it's only 5 min from my house) My 2 son's and husband were up to support me as well, but we did not make it. One thing is for sure. I have had better days when I get up early and go to the gym. Then I can concentrate on the rest of the day and what I am eating; not worrying about when I will go to the gym tonight, will I be to tired, do I have something else I need to go to? All in all I'm coming along. I did loose 2 pounds this week and am looking foreword to my training apt. with Kara and our class on Wednesday. The beat goes on......

Well I made it though my first family BBQ. 22 family and friends for the whole evening. I bought low fat hamburger patties and all beef hot dogs. I made a small potato salad and a huge bowl of fresh fruit. Cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries and watermelon. One of the kids made a big green salad with and added mushrooms, tomatoes and olives. Everyone ate their fill, even me. I skipped the potato salad, had my hamburger on Sarah Lee Wheat, low fat bread. Dressed it with mustard, ketchup, lettuce and tomato. Another daughter brought pop and cookies both of which I skipped. The day of the BBQ I was careful what I ate and then drake a lot of water while I was house cleaning. Maybe I can do this!!

It's Friday. 5 day's into my 100 day heart challenge. I had a great first time with the trainers. I'm anxious to see the changes in my body as I do what they are asking me. Yes there will be changes because I have already noticed I hurt in places I forgot I had! Our first class on Wednesday morning was a great kick off. I left feeling so motivated, but by the end of the day was so discouraged. My big downfall... I'm afraid of food!! I want so much to do well at this but this eating thing is such a habbit that I'm finding hard to break. Seems like the harder I try the more hungry I get. I'm struggling with what is safe to eat and what I should eat. I need to spend some time with Jessica to figure out if I should be counting carbs, calories, fats It's like a different languange. I thave great support at home and at work, I don't want to fail..again. I just want to succeed and feel better!!!